Artex Removal

Artex Removal Across the UK

Get rid of dated textured ceilings and walls for good. Asbestos testing, safe removal or a smooth plaster skim, with a clean finish ready for paint.

  • Free, fixed-price quotes
  • Experienced local teams
  • Covering 250 towns and cities
  • Fast replies, usually the same day

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Service
Artex removal
Who it is for
Homeowners, landlords, letting agents and property developers
Coverage
England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland (250 towns and cities)
Typical cost
Skimming over Artex on a typical bedroom ceiling usually costs £300 to £550. Asbestos sample testing is usually £30 to £80 per sample. Full removal is usually £25 to £45 per square metre for non-asbestos coatings. See the full cost guide.
How to book
Send the quote form for a fixed price

About our Artex removal service

Artex is a textured coating that was applied to millions of UK ceilings and walls from the 1960s to the 1990s, usually in swirl, stipple, comb or fan patterns. It is hard to paint, it collects dust and cobwebs, and it makes a room look dated. Many people also want it gone because coatings applied before 2000 can contain a small amount of asbestos.

We take care of the whole job: arranging an asbestos test where needed, advising on the safest and most cost-effective route, then either skimming over the Artex or removing it, and leaving you with a flat, smooth surface ready for decorating.

Our Artex removal services

Artex ceiling skimming

The quickest and most popular option. High points are scraped back, the surface is sealed and bonded, then two coats of finishing plaster give a completely smooth ceiling without disturbing the coating underneath.

Full Artex removal

Where you want the coating physically taken off, it is softened and stripped back to the board or plaster once testing confirms it is safe to do so, then the surface is made good.

Asbestos testing

Any textured coating applied before 2000 should be sampled before it is sanded, scraped or drilled. We arrange a sample and accredited lab analysis so you know exactly what you are dealing with.

Asbestos-containing Artex

If a test comes back positive, the coating is either encapsulated under a skim or removed by trained operatives following HSE guidance, with the waste bagged and disposed of correctly.

Textured wall removal

Artex and other textured finishes on walls, stairwells and landings, skimmed or removed and left smooth for painting or wallpaper.

Coving and ceiling repairs

Cracks, old fixings and damaged areas repaired, new coving fitted where needed, and the finish blended so the room looks completely fresh.

How it works

  1. Send your details

    Tell us the rooms involved, roughly how big they are and when the property was built. Photos help us price accurately.

  2. Testing if needed

    If the coating could pre-date 2000 we arrange a sample test first, so the right method is used.

  3. Fixed quote

    You get one clear price for the work, covering labour, materials, protection and clearing up.

  4. Work carried out

    Floors and furniture are sheeted, the ceiling is skimmed or stripped, and the room is left clean at the end of each day.

  5. Ready to decorate

    Once the plaster has dried, usually within a few days, the surface is ready for a mist coat and paint.

Why choose Artex Removal

Safety first

We never sand or scrape a pre-2000 coating without knowing what is in it.

Smooth, flat finish

Experienced plasterers who leave ceilings properly flat, not just covered.

Clean and tidy

Full dust sheeting and a proper clean-up as standard.

Clear pricing

One fixed price agreed before any work starts.

Guides and advice

How much does Artex removal cost in the UK? (2026 guide)

Typical 2026 UK prices for Artex skimming, full Artex removal and asbestos testing, plus what pushes the price up or down.

Does Artex contain asbestos? What UK homeowners need to know

Which Artex coatings may contain asbestos, how to get it tested, and the safe options for dealing with it.

Skim over Artex or remove it? Pros, cons and costs

A plain comparison of skimming over Artex versus full removal, covering cost, time, mess and safety.

How to choose an Artex removal contractor: questions to ask and red flags

What to ask before hiring someone to skim or remove Artex, how to spot a contractor who cuts corners on asbestos, and how to compare quotes.

Artex and asbestos: the UK rules for homeowners, landlords and contractors

How the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 apply to textured coatings, what counts as licensed and non-licensed work, and how asbestos waste must be handled.

Having Artex skimmed: how long it takes and what to expect on the day

A day-by-day guide to Artex ceiling skimming, from preparing the room to drying times, plus how to live in the house while work is under way.

DIY Artex removal vs hiring a professional: risks, costs and results

What is realistic to do yourself with an Artex ceiling, the safety risks, and when paying a professional plasterer is the better option.

Overboarding vs skimming over Artex: which is right for your ceiling?

When to fix new plasterboard over an Artex ceiling instead of skimming it, the costs and time involved, and what to check about joists, height and lighting.

Areas we cover

We cover England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Choose your region or one of our most requested locations below, or see every area we cover.

Popular locations

Artex removal: frequently asked questions

Does Artex contain asbestos?

It can. Textured coatings such as Artex had small amounts of chrysotile (white asbestos) added until the mid-1980s, and asbestos use was fully banned in the UK in 1999. Any textured coating applied before 2000 should be tested before it is disturbed. Many coatings test negative, but you cannot tell by looking.

Is it better to skim over Artex or remove it?

Skimming over is usually the best option. It is quicker, cheaper and leaves the coating sealed and undisturbed underneath, which is the safest approach if there is any chance of asbestos. Full removal makes sense when you need to get back to the original surface, for example before structural work or rewiring.

Can I just paint over Artex?

Yes, you can paint it, but the texture stays. If you want a modern smooth ceiling, it needs to be skimmed or removed.

How long does Artex removal take?

Skimming a typical bedroom ceiling takes one day. A whole house is usually three to six days depending on the number of rooms. Full removal takes longer because the coating has to be softened and stripped first.

Is the work messy?

Skimming creates very little dust because nothing is sanded. Floors, furniture and doorways are sheeted and taped, and everything is cleaned up at the end of each day.

Do I need to move out?

No. Most people stay at home and we work room by room. You will need to clear or move furniture to the middle of the room being worked on.

When can I paint the ceiling?

New plaster usually needs between three and seven days to dry, depending on the weather and ventilation. Once it has turned an even pale pink, apply a watered-down mist coat first, then your normal emulsion.

Can you remove Artex from walls as well as ceilings?

Yes. Walls, stairwells, landings and hallways can all be skimmed or stripped in the same way as ceilings.

Get your free Artex removal quote

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Last updated 6 November 2026